How can something be magnificent but scary at the same time? Well when you really think about it, most of the things that instill fear in us humans also pique our interest in ways that we don’t often understand. And on this wondrous blue planet that we live on, there’s no shortage of terrifyingly beautiful things for us to witness. So why don’t you keep on reading to see what made the cut.

1. Space

While this one is technically out-of-this-world, it’d be wrong to leave it out of this list. After all, there’s so much about our universe that’s barely understood. In the grand scheme of things, we’re just a grain of sand in the vastness of space that’s made up of billions of galaxies and stars, and black holes that suck in everything, not to mention asteroids that could easily wipe us out clean. But that doesn’t stop us from staring at the night sky in awe, even going as far as creating all sorts of stories and mythologies to put our curious minds at ease.  

2. Lightning

Lighting comes and goes pretty quickly, but have you ever seen pictures of it? Fascinating, isn’t it? There’s just something really cool about the way electricity streaks and crackles across against dark storm clouds. It’s even more impressive when multiple lightning bolts are photographed at once. But the scary part isn’t just the roaring thunder that follows. It’s the fact, in a stroke of extremely bad luck, that you could get struck by lightning. Though your chances of that happening is 1 in 300,000. 

3. Tornadoes

These devastating vertical funnels of rapidly spinning air are responsible for over a thousand injuries and nearly one hundred deaths every year in the United States. Most people are understandably terrified of tornadoes, but others find them fascinating to look at, even going as far as observing up close and personal. These people are known as tornado chasers, and the bigger the tornado, the more exhilarating they find the experience to be. But us regular folks prefer to admire them through pictures and videos. 

4. Volcanoes

Since the beginning of time, humans have held volcanoes in high regard, both worshiping them but also fearing the immense power hidden within. It’s safe to say that we modern humans aren’t that different from our ancestors—we’re still scared of volcanoes, obviously because of the extensive damage that eruptions can cause. But there’s no denying that it’s really interesting to watch a volcano spew out lava and molten rocks, even creating new islands! Sometimes eruptions will produce an electrical discharge known as volcanic lightning, further piquing our interest in volcanoes.

5. The Ocean

The ocean covers nearly 70% of the Earth, yet over 80% of it remains unexplored to this day. Many people are afraid of the unknown and there’s so much that we don’t know about what’s lying in the deepest parts of our own planet. But the 20% that we are aware of is quite spectacular, don’t you agree? Colorful tropical fishes and coral reefs, giant blue whales, great white sharks and so many more marvelous and unique creatures… some even glow in the dark! Not to mention the numerous shipwrecks that lie on the seafloor.

Body modifications are intentional changes to the human anatomy or physical appearance. Many see the human body as a canvas to decorate and modify. These changes are made for aesthetics, self expression, religious beliefs, culture and to signify social status and identity. While one may think that body modifications are a recent trend, some of them date back centuries. Over the years, body modifications have grown to encompass more extreme forms. Here are five ancient examples of body modifications.

1. Tattoos

The art of tattooing is one that is thousands of years old. The oldest tattooed man, Otzi the Iceman, who was a 5,200-year-old mummy was discovered in 1991 in the Italian-Austrian border. Scientists believe that tattoos on his body were applied for therapeutic purposes, to alleviate joint pain. Tattooing was commonly practiced on women. It is thought that only women who participated in ceremonial activities during the reign of the Egyptian priestess Amunet were tattooed. The practice was carried out exclusively for spiritual purposes. A mummy from the Chinchorro culture in pre-Incan Peru had a mustache tattooed on his upper lip. Tattoos were used to symbolize status, accomplishments and punishments.

2. Scarification 

Scarification is a form of permanent body alteration or body art that involves scratching, etching, burning or superficially cutting patterns, images or words into the skin. It is an ancient practice that was done throughout many different cultures. The practice is an indigenous one with roots in West Africa for ritual purposes and cultural expression. In various cultures, scarification was done as a rite of passage, to demonstrate health and attractiveness to partners, for medical purposes, aesthetics, spirituality and pain endurance.

3. Piercings

Body piercings were done in a wide range of cultures all across the world. It involves a cut or puncture of a part of the body where jewelry or an important implant is placed. An Iraqi stone sculpture from the ninth century BC depicting a man with pierced ears is the earliest example of body piercing discovered. The oldest mummified body which was discovered had earrings which means that body piercings are over 5,200 years old. Nose piercings were practiced from 1,500 BCE. Lip and tongue piercings are historically a part of African cultures. Piercings were used to indicate affiliation to a tribe, status, appear fierce to enemies and to enhance attractiveness.

4. Skin Bleaching 

Skin bleaching or lightening is the process of using chemicals in an effort to lighten or provide an even skin tone by lowering the melanin concentration in the skin. This practice dates back to 200 BCE. Honey with olive oil was used by the ancient Egyptians, Greek and Romans to lighten their skin. To obtain what is often referred to as a ghostly look, the women of the Victorian era used powder and paint. Queen Elizabeth I took arsenic complexion wafers although it was detrimental to health.

5. Plastic Surgery 

Plastic surgery involves the reconstruction or restoration of the body through surgical means. More than 4,000 years ago, surgical methods were used to treat facial injuries. As early as 800 BC, doctors of ancient India performed reconstructive surgery using skin grafts. During the Greco-Roman period, books were written on the methods for reconstructing the lips, ears and nose.  During the Renaissance, there were advances in surgical techniques. In the twentieth century, reconstructive plastic surgery became necessary for many soldiers.  Today, plastic surgery is popular in many parts of the world.    

Chocolate lovers will agree that chocolate, regardless of the kind, is one of life’s most decadent treats. Dark chocolate is a type of chocolate that just contains cocoa butter and solids without the addition of milk or butter that is present in milk chocolate. It contains much larger amounts of cocoa and less sugar than milk chocolate. Without additional sugar it is referred to as bitter chocolate or unsweetened chocolate. Dark chocolate is considered the most nutritious form of chocolate and is popular for its numerous health benefits. Here are five of these benefits.

1. Heart Health 

Consuming dark chocolate, which contains at least seventy percent cocoa, helps improve heart health. It has been proven that dark chocolate helps reduce the risk of heart disease. It contains a type of flavonoid which is a powerful disease-fighting antioxidant. Due to the flavonoids capacity to relax the blood vessels and increase their elasticity, high blood pressure can be lowered and blood clots can be prevented. Better blood flow helps protect us from heart disease.

2. Enhances Mood

We all have bad days where we feel down and not in the best of moods. When you feel that way, have some dark chocolate. It has been scientifically proven that consuming dark chocolate can help enhance one’s mood. For a very long time, dark chocolate has been linked to joy and pleasure. The chemicals in chocolate cause the brain to release neurotransmitters which mimic the feeling of happiness. The neurotransmitter, phenylethylamine, causes the pulse rate to increase and make one happy. Serotonin is another neurotransmitter with mood lifting ability that is triggered by the intake of chocolate.

3. Good For The Skin

Dark chocolate is known to provide the body with many vitamins and minerals which are associated with healthy skin. These include iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper and phosphorus. Manganese, for instance, encourages the synthesis of collagen, a protein that keeps skin appearing young and healthy. It locks in moisture in the skin to help prevent the onset of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, antioxidants in dark chocolate are thought to possibly shield skin from the sun’s potent ultraviolet radiation. Dark chocolate keeps skin bright while assisting in the reduction of dark spots and pigmentation. Nutrients such as copper, iron and zinc promote cell growth. Minerals in dark chocolate speed up cell repair. It removes dead skin cells and exposes smooth skin.

4. Improves Blood Sugar Levels 

When consumed as part of a healthy diet, studies have shown that healthy amounts of dark chocolate that is high in cocoa can improve how the body metabolizes glucose. High blood glucose levels are brought on by insulin resistance, which is characterized by type 2 diabetes. Scientists have found that flavonoids in dark chocolate lower oxidative stress which they believe to be the main factor causing insulin resistance. The body’s sensitivity to insulin is increased, which lowers resistance and lowers one’s risk of developing disorders like diabetes.

5. Improves Cognition and Prevents Memory Loss

By increasing blood flow to the brain, ingredients in dark chocolate improve memory, learning, attention, reaction time and problem-solving abilities. It has been proven in both young and old that people’s improved blood flow to the brain is a result of the flavonoids in chocolate. According to research, eating dark chocolate can alter the brainwave frequency which can help with memory enhancement and the reduction of stress. Some researchers believe that consuming dark chocolate could slow down the progression of dementia, which is characterized by memory loss and cognitive function.

Secret societies operate from the shadows and influence our world in ways that most people aren’t aware of. They’re often the subject of conspiracy theories as mysterious figures who plot behind the scenes as the ultimate puppet masters. Some of the biggest moments in history have been the works of many of these organizations who brought about great change, for better or worse. Regardless of their motives, here are five secret societies that shaped our world.

1. The Black Hand (Serbia)

On May 9, 1911, the Serbian organization the Black Hand or Unification or Death was founded in order to fight against the Ottoman rule. Led by Colonel Dimitrijevic, the Black Hand operated on many different levels and made sure that the members had minimal contact with each other. As for their leader Dimitrijevic or Apis as he was known, well it was he who planned the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose death led to a series of riots and violence throughout the empire, which quickly snowballed into the outbreak of World War I.

2. The Germanenorden (Germany)

World War II was by far the worst event in human history. But before Adolf Hitler took over the German Workers Party in 1920, there was the Germanenorden who unfortunately, like Hitler, were antisemetic, and upheld the Aryan race as superior. Established in 1812, the Gemanenorden adopted the Swastika symbol in 1916 and soon began recruiting members who had to follow absurd initiation rituals that involved dressing up as kings, knights, nymphs and many more. By 1918, they called themselves the Thule Society, followed by the GWP. And the rest is history, as the saying goes.

3. Katipunan (Philippines)

The Philippines gained their independence on June 12, 1898 and this was the result of an all-out attack by the secret society, Katipunan. The male-only organization was born on July 7, 1892, out of a deep desire to overthrow the Spanish. They had their own codes and rituals, but the main one was that every document had to be signed with the fluid coursing through their veins. After many years of hiding in the shadows, the Katipunan had their cover blown and with that, they launched a full-scale revolt against the Spanish that ended in favor of the Katipunan and the rest of the Filipinos.

4. Irish Republican Brotherhood (Ireland)

March 17, 1858 marks the founding of the Irish Revolutionary Brotherhood which was originally an open political organization called United Irishmen. However, they were forced to operate from the shadows after being suppressed by the British, vowing to put an end to their rule. The IRB soon spread all over the world, and in 1916, under the leadership of Thomas Clarke, led their very first rebellion known as the Easter Rising. Despite their failure, they rose up again, this time leading the Anglo-Irish war that resulted in the creation of the Irish Free State in 1921.

5. Filiki Etaireia (Greece)

The Ottoman Empire encompassed much of Southern Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa, and Greece was one of the many countries under their rule. Much like the Black Hand society in Serbia, the Greeks wanted to be free, leading to the creation of the Filiki Etaireia or Friendly Brotherhood. Secrecy was taken very seriously and anyone with loose lips paid the price with their lives. In the spring of 1821, the Greek Revolution was set into motion with the help of a Russian officer named Alexander Ypsilantis. The Brotherhood disbanded shortly after but Greece gained their independence regardless.

Superstition is a belief or a way of behaving that is founded on a fear of the unknown, ignorance, trust in magic and luck. Non-believers and non-practitioners believe superstition to be irrational or supernatural. Superstitious beliefs are embedded in folklore and culture. They vary in different cultures and play a major role in these societies. In many cases, people seem almost paralyzed by superstitions. Here are some weird superstitions that people still believe, hold on to and pass on from one generation to the other.

1. Black Cats

One of the oldest and well known superstitions is that a black cat crossing one’s path brings on bad luck. In the middle ages, it was also associated with the passing of someone. Many people fear black cats today and it is often linked to witchcraft. However, according to English superstition, giving a black cat to a bride on her wedding day will bring her good luck in their union. In Japanese and many Asian cultures, encountering a black cat is a good omen. In some cultures, black cats lead to treasure, make homes safe and bless farmers with a good harvest.

2. Umbrella Superstitions

Opening an umbrella inside a house is thought to bring about extremely bad luck in several parts of the world. This superstition has its roots in ancient Europe. At that time, the umbrella was employed to shield persons of great status from the sun rather than rain. It was believed that the sun god would become enraged if an umbrella was opened inside and he would punish them. Some believe that an umbrella protects one against the storms of life and opening an umbrella within the home offends the house’s guardian spirit, who will leave one defenseless against the storms of life.

3. Wedding Superstitions

Every couple hopes for sunny weather on their wedding day. Dark clouds and rain would certainly bring about anxiety. Well, rain on one’s wedding day is a sign. In some cultures it symbolizes fertility and cleansing. Also, the bride wearing something old and borrowed brings good luck for the couple. Many brides cry while making their way to the altar. It is believed that this leads to a happy, long and successful marriage.

4. Twelve Grapes

New Year’s Eve is filled with much celebration all over the world. Many people come together at the Puerto del Sol in Spain for a time of fun with much singing, dancing, drinking of champagne and eating grapes. Yes, every individual present eats twelve grapes, that is, one grape at each of the twelve bell chimes in order to have a good and fruitful year. This tradition in Spain has been in existence since 1895. 

5. Breaking A Mirror

Broken mirror superstitions are common to cultures all over the world. There is a superstition which says that someone who breaks a mirror will experience seven years of bad luck. According to this belief, whether a mirror is broken accidentally or on purpose, the misfortune lasts for the same amount of time. Seven years is seen as significant. The Romans believe that the seven years was the period that the body takes to renew and in China, it is believed that destiny is renewed every seven years.

The mere mention of creepy crawlies gives rise to some interesting reactions- some get covered in goose bumps and their hairs stand on ends. Few individuals enjoy being around bugs. Their appearance, movement and behavior are often disturbing and frightening. Some say that these creatures are misunderstood as there are several cool funny facts about them that people do not know. Without getting freaked out, let’s look at five of these facts.

1. Listen with Legs

There are insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, locusts and katydids referred to as orthopterans that hear with tiny ears that are located on their legs. Yes you read right- ears on their legs. Certainly their ears aren’t large structures like ours. Rather, they are tiny ears found on their front legs just behind the knee. It is an opening that leads to a chamber in the leg. They can detect vibration-induced sound waves. The sound waves are first collected by the cricket’s ear, which then transforms, amplifies, and analyzes their frequencies. A cricket can locate the source of a sound by turning its body in that direction.

2. Show Motherly Love

Rarely are insects described as motherly but in the case of earwigs, they really are. The mother earwig guards and tends to its eggs for weeks. During this time they may move their eggs to a safer location, groom the eggs and remove any fungi that may be harmful. When the eggs are hatched the mother continues to care for the young. They feed their young with food from their stomach. Before becoming adults, earwig nymphs go through five molts. The mother looks after her offspring until after they molt for the second time.

3. Suited Up

Some insects such as beetles have armors. Although their armors are not made from steel, they serve a similar purpose, that is, protection. Beetles only use one of their two pairs of wings for flying. Elytra, which are different pairs of wings, are rigid and act as a substantial layer of armor, protecting the beetle’s sensitive body and delicate wings. They are often referred to as faux wings.

4. Sewing Their Nest

Well weaver ants have been found to possess the ability to make their own nests. They are true designers and seamstresses. They weave leaves together with silk to build their arboreal nests, but oddly only larvae make silk. As a result, the workers employ the larvae as silk dispensers while holding them in their mandibles and moving back and forth from one leaf to another. To get the leaves in the canopy of trees to touch each other, the ants hold each other at the waist and form a conga line. They continue doing this until the large nest is formed.

5. Play the Violin

You have seen pictures of grasshoppers playing a violin, but what’s the connection? Well the meadow grasshopper makes the melodious tune of the violin. The small creatures make the sound by rubbing its hind legs against its forewings. The wing vibrates and the sound is made only by the males. The females hear and respond by following the call to find the male. The noise is also made to warn away the grasshopper’s enemies.

Explosives are reactive substances that contain amounts of potential energy that if released under certain conditions can make things go KABOOM! It is interesting to note that there are explosive ingredients contained in everyday items although they are found in small and safe amounts. However, the use of large amounts of these chemicals can be catastrophic. There have been several reports of cases where people use everyday products to make explosives that have been quite destructive. Let’s explore 5 of these explosive ingredients.

1. Ammonium Nitrate

Ammonium nitrate is an industrial chemical used in fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides. It is relatively safe if it is stored properly and remains uncontaminated. If large amounts of this chemical is exposed to intense heat, it can become violently explosive. Explosions can be triggered if ammonium nitrate is stored close to fuel in poorly ventilated rooms. In 1995, farm fertilizer packed on a truck was used in a terrorist attack in Oklahoma City, killing many people. Today, countries have laws regulating the sale of ammonium nitrate.

2. Butane

Butane is a chemical found in products such as aerosol sprays, cigarette lighters and barbecue grills. It is produced by fractional distillation of fossil fuel. Liquefied petroleum gas is a mixture of butane and petroleum and is used in heating appliances. Butane is highly flammable and can become explosive if stored in poorly ventilated rooms, if there are leaks and if it is ignited by flames or sparks. In 2018, a butane hash oil lab exploded in Michigan causing injuries and significant damage to property.

3. Picric Acid

Picric acid is an organic compound used in electric batteries, matches and to manufacture colored glass and dyes. Picric acid also has antiseptic and astringent properties and is used in some anesthetic and burn ointments. Laboratories also use it to test for creatinine. Picric acid is a very combustible material and during World War I, it was used extensively in bombs and grenades. It is a yellow mass of moist crystals but when dry, the crystals become unstable and are sensitive to shock, friction and heat and can create a powerful explosion. As such, it must always be kept wet with a minimum of 10% water.

4. Nitrocellulose

Nitrocellulose is a compound which is produced by treating common cellulose with nitric acid. This compound is found in propellants, paint, nail polish, plastic, leather finishings, vanish and resins. Nitrocellulose is also used in manufacturing explosives. If the content of nitrogen in nitrocellulose is greater than 12.6%, it is considered to be explosive. In 2015, there was a devastating explosion in a chemical factory in Tianjin, China which was a result of nitrocellulose being ignited. This caused the death of a few hundred people and extensive damage to property.

5. Nitroglycerin

Nitroglycerin is a nitrate vasodilator drug used in medicine to treat hypertension, chest pain and heart failure. This drug, which is available in spray, tablet and intravenous forms, helps widen blood vessels in the body. In spite of being so useful, it is a powerful explosive which is used in most forms of dynamite and is combined with nitrocellulose in propellants for rockets and missiles. Ascanio Sobrero was the first to produce nitroglycerin in 1846 making this explosive even stronger than black powder. Alfred Nobel manufactured it on a large scale mainly for the purpose of mining.

The term fashion trends can be broadly used as a popular style of self expression that is embraced at a particular time and place. This can mean trends in clothing, accessories, footwear and make-up to name a few. Fashion trends evolve over time and I’m sure that while looking at old photos of your parents or grandparents you’ve observed that what they wore then were quite different to what is worn today, although some trends have resurfaced to some extent. There are some fashion trends of the past however, that many view as ridiculous and think that they should remain in the past and not make a comeback. Here are 5 of these fashion trends.

1. Hobble Skirts

The hobble skirt became popular in the early 1900s and although there were many designers who claimed that they should be credited for inventing the hobble skirt, in 1908, French designer, Paul Poiret, said that his design had “shackled the legs.” Hobble skirts were ankle-length skirts which were so narrow at the hem that they restricted movement greatly and allowed wearers to take short strides. Only women who were privileged wore them because these skirts were certainly not functional for the busy, working woman.

2. Clothing Made From Flour Sacks/Bags

The fashion trend of sewing flour bags into ladies’ clothing showed that housewives of that time were resourceful. During the Great Recession, rural families were forced to be frugal. Nothing went to waste including flour bags which were used to make dresses, towels and household furnishings. The bag manufacturers responded to this by adding color and lovely designs to the bags. By the late 1930s, this trend became quite popular. There were national sewing competitions which featured dresses made from flour sacks.

3. Bullet Bras

The bizarre bullet bra was a creation which emerged in the 1940s. The intention behind these sharply pointed, conical shaped bras was to accentuate a woman’s figure and to ensure that women stood upright at all times. It began to lose its popularity in the late 1950s when soft cup bras which gave a more natural silhouette were introduced. Though Madonna brought back this bra during the Blonde Ambition tour in 1990, this trend didn’t make a comeback. For people who love this vintage look, there are still a few bullet bra makers out there.

4. Crinolines

This trend took flight in the mid 19th century and is one that you may have seen in movies set in that time. Crinolines were stiff structured petticoats used to provide support to large skirts and give a bell shape. Before this, women wore multiple layers of petticoats which were heavy and unhygienic. Wearing crinolines was dangerous as the large dresses got caught in passing carriages and machinery which crushed the wearers. The dresses also ignited when women stood too close to fireplaces or the skirts swept over coal or flames.

5. Zibellino

Zibellino, also called flea-fur or fur tippet, was a fashion accessory worn by women of the late 15th century. This was the pelt of a marten, a weasel-like mammal, which was worn around the neck, hanging at the waist or held in the hand. The heads which were still attached were accessorized with gold and precious jewels. This was used by those in the upper echelons of society such as high-ranking noble and royalty. The faux version was later created in the 16th century and replaced the use of actual animals.

Although physicians are taught to use all their senses upon entering a room to diagnose patients, they rely heavily on laboratory findings from medical tests. Physicians also rely on equipment and instruments like the stethoscope to examine patients. One would not believe that smell is one of the senses that can be used in diagnosing diseases and disorders. There are some scents that are emitted by certain diseases. Let’s look at 5 of these diseases.

1. Typhoid Fever

In 1976, a medical journal article explained that patients who suffer from typhoid fever discharge a smell like freshly baked bread. While the scent of freshly baked bread may be satisfying, the disease is pretty terrifying. Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi. It may be mild or severe, but its symptoms include high fever, abdominal pain, weakness, constipation and a rose-coloured skin rash. Typhoid fever is not very common but it occurs in areas which are unhygienic. The disease can be treated with antibiotics, although some strains are more resistant today.

2. Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes. When the body does not produce sufficient amounts of insulin, the body cannot use glucose to create energy which it needs. Instead, fat is broken down to get energy and ketones are produced in the process. Acetone is the main ketone. The body then enters a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. In this condition, the ketone levels rise to unsafe levels. The acetone in the body, which is a similar component found in nail polish, has a fruity smell that is easy to detect. Diabetic ketoacidosis can be diagnosed by this smell on the patient’s breath.

3. Maple Syrup Urine Disease

A person who suffers from maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), experiences a sweet smell of maple syrup every time he or she urinates. This disease is a metabolic disorder that affects the process in which the patient breaks down certain amino acids. This means that the amino acids are excreted from the body through the urine which causes a distinct smell. Infants who are affected by this disease, may look normal and healthy at birth and can later develop life threatening symptoms. Sweet smelling urine is an early sign of maple syrup urine disease. There is no cure but it can be controlled.

4. Arsenic Poisoning

Arsenic is a highly toxic chemical which has been used for centuries to manufacture a large number of products ranging from pesticides to bullets. People who live in remote villages can get in contact with this chemical through contaminated ground water. Arsenic poisoning blocks enzymes which the body requires to create energy. Some of the symptoms of arsenic toxicity are vomiting, abdominal pain, encephalopathy, bloody diarrhea and eventually death. A garlic odor which emanates from the body of a victim is a symptom of arsenic toxicity.

5. Bacterial Infections

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa is a bacterium which may cause many types of infections in humans. It is a common infection in persons suffering from diabetes, cystic fibrosis, burn patients and persons using drugs. If not treated with urgency, it can become very dangerous. It is rated an opportunistic bacteria because it relies on pre-existing diseases or conditions to occur. Although it can be identified in laboratory tests, it is obvious by a grape-like odor from the patient. Some people also describe the odor as being similar to a tortilla.